Robot Shot Chemical Dispersant Into Oil Leak

ON THE GULF OF MEXICO (AP) - A remote-controlled submarine shota chemical dispersant into the maw of a massive undersea oil leakMonday, further evidence that authorities expect the gusher to keeperupting into the Gulf of Mexico for weeks or more. Crews using the deep-sea robot attempted to thin the oil - whichis rushing up from the seabed at a pace of about 210,000 gallonsper day - after getting approval from the Environmental ProtectionAgency, BP spokesman Mark Proegler told The Associated Press. The agency had halted two previous rounds of the dispersant totest its potential impact on the environment, and approved a thirdround of spraying that began early Monday, Proegler said. An EPAspokeswoman didn't immediately return messages seeking comment. BP engineers, casting about after an ice buildup thwarted theirplan to siphon off most of the leak using a 100-ton containmentbox, pushed ahead with other potential short-term solutions,including using a smaller box and injecting the leak with junk toplug it. However, none of these has been tried so deep - about amile down. Workers were simultaneously drilling a relief well, thesolution considered most permanent, but that was to take up tothree months. At least 3.5 million gallons were believed to have leaked sincean April 20 drilling rig blast killed 11. If the gusher continuesunabated, it would surpass the Exxon Valdez disaster as thenation's worst spill by Father's Day. The engineers appear to be "trying anything people can thinkof" to stop the leak, said Ed Overton, a LSU professor ofenvironmental studies. Back on land, National Guard helicopters ferried loads of 1-tonsandbags to plug gaps in barrier islands that have been lapped atby a sheen of oil. The effort to bolster the islands was meant tosafeguard the area's vulnerable wetlands. Authorities also planned to use south Louisiana's system oflocks and levees to release water to help keep the worst of the oilat sea. "We're trying to save thousands of acres of marsh here in thisarea, where the shrimp lay their eggs, where the fin fish lay theireggs, where the crabs come in and out," said Chett Chiasson,executive director of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission."We're trying to save a heritage, a way of life, a culture that weknow here in recreational and commercial fishing." BP - which is responsible for the cleanup - said Monday thespill has cost it $350 million so far for immediate response,containment efforts, commitments to the Gulf Coast states, andsettlements and federal costs. The company did not speculate on thefinal bill, which most analysts expect to run into tens of billionsof dollars. Among plans under consideration for the gusher, BP is looking atcutting the riser pipe, which extends from the well, undersea andusing larger piping to bring the gushing oil to a drill ship on thesurface, a tactic considered difficult and less desirable becauseit will increase the flow of oil. Above the oil leak, waves of dark brown and black sludge crashedinto the support ship Joe Griffin. The fumes there were so intensethat a crew member and an AP photographer on board had to wearrespirators while on deck. Oil - be it a surface sheen, globules or balls of tar - haswashed up west of the Mississippi River and as far east as DauphinIsland, three miles off the Alabama mainland at the mouth of MobileBay. The containment box plan had been designed to divert up to 85percent of the leaking oil to a tanker at the surface. The blowout aboard the rig, which was being leased by BP, wastriggered by a bubble of methane gas that escaped from the well andshot up the drill column, expanding quickly as it burst throughseveral seals and barriers before exploding, according tointerviews with rig workers conducted during BP's initial, internalprobe. The exact cause remains under investigation.